Daily Corinthian
Saturday April 13,
2013
50 cents
Vol. 117, No. 89
Mostly sunny Today
Tonight
70
49
0% chance of rain
• Corinth, Mississippi • 16 pages • One section
5 residents hurt in Trace accident BY BRANT SAPPINGTON bsappington@dailycorinthian.com
Staff photo by Steve Beavers
Five Corinth residents were injured after being struck head-on while traveling on the Natchez Trace Parkway near Tupelo. Kathy Harvey remains hospitalized in satisfactory condition at North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo. The driver of the other vehicle involved in the crash, Dana Whitt, was also being treated in the intensive care unit at NMMC on Friday. A condition report on Whitt was unavailable. Natchez Trace Parkway
Chief Ranger Sarah Davis said Harvey was southbound on the parkway south of Tupelo when her 1998 Pontiac minivan was struck nearly head-on by a 2002 Infiniti driven by Whitt. Davis said evidence from the scene and witness statements indicate Whitt crossed the center line of the roadway into Harvey’s lane before colliding with her vehicle head on. Kathy Harvey and the passengers in her vehicle — her husband, Doug Harvey, Megan Harvey, Bobby Hicks and a 14-year-old juvenile, were Please see ACCIDENT | 2
Josh Miller works on a puller in Ag Power and Machinery class at the Alcorn Career & Technology Center.
Students build souped-up puller City, county leaders plan, identify goals BY STEVE BEAVERS
sbeavers@dailycorinthian.com
Ag Power and Machinery students at the Alcorn Career & Technology Center are getting the chance to feel the power. Of a lawn mower. The mower isn’t your typical Sunday-stroll machine used to mow a yard. It’s a soupedup puller capable of pulling 3-5,000 pounds down a track. Local lawn puller builder and competitor Larry Nelms is supplying a mower frame that will be transformed into a puller by the class. “This gives the kids a chance to help others in the community,” said instructor Daniel Hebert. “We are hoping to be able
to build our own in the future.” Nelms is also supplying all the parts to be used in the project. “Daniel asked me to help with the building of one so the kids could get the experience,” said Nelms. “I took a frame down there and told them they could do anything they wanted to do to it.” One class is in charge of the front end work while another class will be responsible for the back, according to Hebert. “We do a little bit of everything,” said the instructor. “This year we have fixed things like a trailers and wheelchairs … anything that involves a life skill we do to help the students
get the experience.” The puller will be made of both Cub Cadet and John Deer parts. FFA blue has been decided on as the color with Ag Class 2013 displayed on the project. “I told them I wanted something different,” said Nelms, who at one time had over 23 pullers. “It will be a slow process, but I’m not worried if it takes them the whole year … I just think it’s great they want to do something like this.” Nelms told the class the student who showed the most interest could pull at a County Line Pullers’ event in Baldwyn. “They will make it a show tractor, but it will pull too,” added Nelms.
BY JEBB JOHNSTON jjohnston@dailycorinthian.com
City and county leaders put their heads together Friday to identify some goals for the future and reflect on some of the area’s strengths and weaknesses. Former Corinth alderman Joe Vann, who hosted the meeting at his cabin on Pickwick Lake, said the session came about as a result of the government committee of the Commission on the Future of Alcorn County, whose members felt a session on planning would be beneficial for the local governments. Joseph Fratesi, community
development director with the Stennis Institute of Government and Community Development at Mississippi State University, facilitated the session, which included a majority of the city aldermen and county supervisors. “I would like to see you leave here knowing more about longterm planning, why you need it, why you might not need it, and goal setting as well,” said Vann. Vann said he believes a lack of long-term planning is an ingredient in the troubles of many struggling cities. Please see GOALS | 3
Belk employees volunteer at Glendale Elementary School BY STEVE BEAVERS sbeavers@dailycorinthian.com
GLEN — Belk employees went back to school on Thursday. Twelve employees of the Corinth store attended Glendale Elementary School to celebrate its 125th anniversary with 125 days of service to improve conditions at schools. Glendale was chosen as one of the schools to receive a makeover on parts of its campus. Employees spent two hours building book-
shelves, putting together a picnic table and painting murals. “It was easy for us,” said Glendale Principal Brian Phelps. “Belk purchased everything, had it delivered to the campus and did all the work.” Thursday's downpour didn't hamper the work or attitude of Belk employees. “It has been a terrific day,” said Belk Manager Tony Walker while taking a break of painting murals. “It has been wonderful to give
back and we love being here with all of these kids.” Belk, with volunteer service organization partner Points of Life, is investing $2 million in its first company-wide service program that is engaging all 23,000 of its employees. “Being involved in our local communities has been one of this company’s core values since the beginning and an important part of our success throughout our 125 years,” John R. Belk, the compa-
ny’s president and CEO, told 700 store managers, district managers and corporation staff at a kickoff event last month. “We are excited to step up that commitment this year and invest our time, talent and resources in local schools.” The day wasn't considered work for either Walker or employee Christy Scott. “With Belk celebrating 125 years, we wanted to give something back to the community,” said Walker.
“It has been fun and I am proud Belk saw the need of some schools in the area,” added Scott. “I enjoy doing things like this for kids because they are the ones who really appreciate it.” The generous giving helps a company like Belk become more involved in the community, according to Phelps. “Things like day helps make that connection,” said the princiPlease see BELK | 2
Alcorn Central students conduct ‘Pennies for Patients’ drive BY STEVE BEAVERS sbeavers@dailycorinthian.com
GLEN — Cents for a cure. Alcorn Central Elementary School students used their spare change to help find the cure for cancer. The students collected $1,083.18 over two weeks for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society during its Pennies for Patients drive. “This is something we do every year,” said principal Tammy Johnson. “The class that has the most money raised gets a pizza party.” LLS has been committed to finding the cure for leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma since 1949. The world’s largest voluntary (nonprofit) health organization, LLS is dedicated to funding blood cancer research and providing education and patient services. The health organization has awarded more than $750 million in research funding for all blood cancers. By collecting change to make a change, children are making a huge difference in the lives of blood cancer patients. Through events such as Pennies for Patients and the Olive Garden’s Pasta for Pennies drive, youngsters have raised more than $211 million that goes directly to funding blood cancer research and patient aid. Staff photo by Steve Beavers
Alcorn Central Elementary students Blake Streetman (left) and Blake Doran box up change collected during the Pennies for Patients drive.
Index Stocks........8 Classified......14 Comics........ 7 State........ 5
Weather........9 Obituaries........ 6 Opinion........4 Sports...... 12
On this day in history 150 years ago In the Department of the Ohio, Gen. Burnside orders military tribunals and the firing squad for any “treasonable activities.” This is an effort to blunt the activities of “Copperheads,” or Peace Democrats. Most offenders are deported south rather than face execution.